Albert Mohler is one of the leading voices in the American church that is calling Christians to maintain adherence to the “faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 1:3). Every aspect of the Christian faith has been challenged from the beginning, but this is the first time when people have simultaneously claimed membership in the Christian community and abandoned doctrines that have been considered essential all along. These departures from orthodoxy are not simply private matters, as they may have been in the past, but have actually become accepted by entire denominations as acceptable.
One belief that is seen as unimportant and expendable is the virgin birth of Christ. In a great article, Mohler discusses why the virgin birth is absolutely essential for Christians to believe:
In one of his columns for The New York Times, Nicholas Kristof once pointed to belief in the Virgin Birth as evidence that conservative Christians are “less intellectual.” Are we saddled with an untenable doctrine? Is belief in the Virgin Birth really necessary?
Kristof is absolutely aghast that so many Americans believe in the Virgin Birth. “The faith in the Virgin Birth reflects the way American Christianity is becoming less intellectual and more mystical over time,” he explains, and the percentage of Americans who believe in the Virgin Birth “actually rose five points in the latest poll.” Yikes! Is this evidence of secular backsliding?
“The Virgin Mary is an interesting prism through which to examine America’s emphasis on faith,” Kristof argues, “because most Biblical scholars regard the evidence for the Virgin Birth … as so shaky that it pretty much has to be a leap of faith.” Here’s a little hint: Anytime you hear a claim about what “most Biblical scholars” believe, check on just who these illustrious scholars really are.
To continue reading, click the following link: Must We Believe in the Virgin Birth?
